PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (WA) Flooding

Date: Mon, 14 May 2018 18:11:12 EDT

Summary: Flooding continues in NE Washington State.

Flooding continues in the Upper Columbia Basin in northeast Washington due to snowmelt from a above normal snowpack. The Kettle River near Ferry, WA gage in operation since 1928 set a peak of record on May 10 at 23,800 cfs. Downstream on the Kettle River near Laurier, WA the gage in operation since 1929 set a new peak of record at 48,500 cfs. Crews made the highest discharge measurements ever at these two sites last week. The Similkameen River near Nighthawk, WA and the Okanogan River near Tonasket, WA both set the third highest peaks in their 90-year records and both are forecasted to peak again at a higher level later this week. The Pend Oreille River gage at the Washington-Idaho State border continues to rise and may set the highest peak since 1894 by the weekend. Crews took the weekend off, but will be out all week taking care of the operation of the gages and making discharge measurements. Other rivers on the east side of the Washington Cascade Mountains that are expected to exceed their flood stage this week include the Methow, Stehekin, Spokane and Entiat Rivers. Equipment problems have been limited to an A-frame that went under water (will need post-flood inspection), a large tree fell on a cableway, and a real-time water temperature site was submersed by flood waters.